Watertight watch

ABSTRACT

A watertight watch case of the two piece type wherein the caseband and back are formed as a single unit with a separate bezel. The bezel includes a glass snap integrally formed therewith and is assembled to the caseband and back unit with a interposed packing that is subjected to radial compression between the bezel acting on one surface, and the glass and caseband and back unit acting on the opposite surface. The arrangement assures resistance to water and at the same time maintains the assembly of the watch case.

United States Patent [191 Ratajski 1 WATERTIGHT WATCH [75] lnventor: Michel Ratajski, Bienne,

Switzerland [73] Assignee: Omega, Louis Brandt & Frere S.A.,

Bienne, Switzerland 221 Filed: Feb. 9, 1973 21 Appl.No.:330,960

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 6, 1972 Great Britain 10,309 72 [52] US. Cl 58/90 R [51] G04b 37/08 [58] Field of Search.... 58/90 R [56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 387,550 5/1965 Switzerland 58/90 R [11 1 v 3,792,576 [451 Feb. 19,1974

239,570 10/1945 Switzerland 58/90 R 553,423 12/1956 ltaly 58/90 R 339,580 8/1959 Switzerland .t 58/90 R Primary Examiner-George H. Miller, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Griffin, Branigan and Butler I [57] ABSTRACT A watertight watch case of the two piece type wherein the caseband and back are formed as a single unit with a separate bezel. The bezel includes a glass snap integrally formed therewith and is assembled to the caseband and back unit with a interposed packing that is subjected to radial compression between the bezel acting on one surface, and the glass and caseband and back unit acting on the opposite surface. The arrangement assures resistance to waterand at the same time maintains the assembly of the watch case.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 WATERTIGHT WATCH adapted to be produced in various shapes. The numerous proposals already existing in respect of watertight watch casings tend in general to be rather complicated especially where shapes other than circular are desired. It has frequently been found necessary to provide a number and variety of slots and grooves at various locations in order to accommodate the usual packing material. When the dimensions and requirements for precision areconsidered it is evident that tooling and production costs will be high for such watch casings even when standard materials such as stainless steel are to be used. Should it be desired to use hard materials such as one of the metal carbides, or artificial precious stone obtained by sintering corundum, the cost will be still :higher in those instances where the construction even permits the use of such materials.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide -a watertight watchcase of the two-piece type in which the caseband and back are formed as a single unit with a separate bezel, wherein the bezel provides a glass snap integrally formed therewith and is assembled to the caseband and back unit by means of an interposed packing subjected to radial compression between the bezel acting on one surface. thereof and the glass, and caseband and-back unit acting on an opposite surface thereby to assure water resistance while maintaining the assembly of the watch case.

Other objects of the invention and-its mode of construction will become apparent'upon consideration of the following descriptionland the'accompanying drawing wherein: A y

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show'partial vertical cross sections of three forms in which the invention may be executed.

FIGS. 4'and 5 show partial vertical cross sections of further variants particularly with respect to the packlng.

I In FIG. 1, the assemblyincludes a watch movement 1 conventionally supported within an integral caseband-back unit'2. A glass 3' bears on, and is spaced from a dial 4 by a ring flange 5 whereby in the'complete assembly the movement is maintained in the axial position as shown. Rotation of the movement is prevented by the provision of a winding stem (not shown) project ing through the side of the casing. Bezel 6 has its interior periphery so shaped as to provide a cut away portion surmounted by a snap. The cut away portion serves to accommodate a packing 7.

When the bezel with its packing is assembled with the caseband back unit and the glass as shown in FIG. 1, it will be seen that packing 7 is compressed radially between thebezel actingon one surface and the glass, together with the caseband back unit, acting on the opposite surface. This arrangement assures both water resistance and the maintaining in position of all elements of the assembly.

It is to be noted that water resistance is assured essentiallyon the internal face of the packing 7 through its tight contact with peripheral surface 8 of glass 3 and external peripheral surface .9 of the caseband back unit 2. Such tight contact in turn is assured by the pressure exerted from internal-surface 10 of bezel 6 to the external surface of the packing.

Two or more holes 11 are pierced through the caseband portion of unit 2 and spaced apart symmetrically around the periphery. Such holes are concealed from above by the bezel when the watch is assembled and serve a purpose to be subsequently explained.

Assembly is carried out in the'following manner:

The movement 1 provided with dial 4'and hands (not shown) is introduced into the caseband back unit 2. The winding stem (not shown) is then inserted thereby to establish and fix the exact circumferential position. Next the ring flange 5 is put in place and thereafter packing 7. Glass 3 is placed within packing 7 and positioned to bear on ring flange 5 which itself in view of permitted tolerances will bear lightly on the dial 4 thus fixing the movement axially. Bezel 6 is then pressed on to the packing 7 thus assuringboth water resistanc and the maintenance of the assembly.

Disassembly is effected by proceeding in the reverse order tothat given above and in this connection the holes 11 provide an important advantage in removing the bezel. A suitable tool (not shown) provides a-support having a number of studs corresponding in diameter, number, and spacing with holes 11. The assembly is placed so that the studs pass through holes 11 and bear on under-surface 12 of bezel 6. It is then only necessary to bear down on the glass 3 or on a suitable portion of unit 2 in order to force off the bezel.

It is noted that-rather than employing a special tool as mentioned above for the removal of bezel 6 it is equally possible to provide holes 11 with internal threading. Thereafter the bezel may be forced off by means of extractor bolts conforming in diameter and threading to holes 11, the bolts being screwed in from the bottom of the casing. The ends of such bolts would bear on the undersurface 12 of bezel 6, and as the bolts continue to be screwed in would gradually force off the bezel.

In the form of the invention as shown in FIG. 2 the principle difference from FIG. 1 resides in the fact that the dial 4 is formed as a soup plate having an extractor flange 14 squeezed between the internal face 15 of glass 3 and the upper edge 16 of the caseband back unit 2, thereby fixing equally the movement 1 and at the same time avoiding the need for the ring flange 5 shown in the FIG. 1 embodiment. I

In FIG. 3 the arrangement is similar to that of FIG. 1, but as an additional measureto ensure water resistance an O-ring packing 17 is placed between the internal face 15 of the glass 3 and the upper edge 16 of the caseband back unit 2. Lateral creep of the O-ring towards the interior of the casing is prevented by the ring flange 5, and creep toward the exterior is prevented by packing 7.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are basically similar respectively to FIGS. 1 and 2, but show different forms which the packing 7 mighttake in respect of such embodiments.

Thus, FIG. 4 shows an interposed packing 7 having a stepped form, the inner surface of the inwardly stepped upper portion of which bears against the ring flange 5. The slight increase in complexity provides greater sealing security.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 2 but uses an interposed packing 7 having an L-shaped cross-section. The lower portion of this packing is adapted to be received and retained by a notch cut around the external periphery of the upperportion of the caseband back unit. This arrangement facilitatesorderly disassembly by retaining the glass and watch dial in position during removal of the bezel.

Each of the illustrated examples shows the use of a flat form of glass. From the explanations already given, it is evident that one could equally use watch glasses or crystals having a convex or concave aspect from the exterior.

What I claim is:

1. A watertight watch case of the two-piece type in which the caseband and back are formed as a single unit with a separate bezel and wherein the bezel includes a glass snap integrally formed therewith and is assembled to the caseband and back unit by means of an interposed packing subjected to radial compression between the bezel acting on one surface thereof and the glass, and a caseband and back unit acting on an opposite surface thereby to assure water resistance while maintaining the assembly of the watch case, said caseband including a plurality of symmetrically disposed holes extending from the back of the caseband proximate the perphery thereof through to a matching surface of the bezel whereby introduction of a matching tool facilitates disassembly of the watch case..

2. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 1 wherein the interposed packing has a stepped form in cross-section.

3. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 1 whereinthe watch dial is provided with a flange axially squeezed between the glass and a surface of the caseband back unit.

4. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 3 wherein the interposed packing has a stepped form in cross-section. g

5. A watertightwatch case as set forth in claim 1 wherein the holes are tapped so that the tool may take the form of a plurality of matching bolts.

6. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 5 wherein the watch dial is provided with a flange axially squeezed between the glass and asurface of the caseband back unit.

7. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 5 wherein a ring flange is supported by an upper edge of the caseband back unit and is retained in place by the glass.

8. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 1 wherein a ring flange is supported by an upper edge of the caseband back unit and is retained in place by the glass. 7

9. A watertight 'watch case as set forth in claim 8 wherein an O-ring packing extends between the internal face of the glass at its periphery and the upper edge of the caseband back unit.

10. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 7 of the caseband back unit. 

1. A watertight watch case of the two-piece type in which the caseband and back are formed as a single unit with a separate bezel and wherein the bezel includes a glass snap integrally formed therewith and is assembled to the caseband and back unit by means of an interposed packing subjected to radial compression between the bezel acting on one surface thereof and the glass, and a caseband and back unit acting on an opposite surface thereby to assure water resistance while maintaining the assembly of the watch case, said caseband including a plurality of symmetrically disposed holes extending from the back of the caseband proximate the perphery thereof through to a matching surface of the bezel whereby introduction of a matching tool facilitates disassembly of the watch case.
 2. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 1 wherein the interposed packing has a stepped form in cross-section.
 3. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 1 wherein the watch dial is provided with a flange axially squeezed between the glass and a surface of the caseband - back unit.
 4. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 3 wherein the interposed packing has a stepped form in cross-section.
 5. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 1 wherein the holes are tapped so that the tool may take the form of a plurality of matching bolts.
 6. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 5 wherein the watch dial is provided with a flange axially squeezed between the glass and a surface of the caseband - back unit.
 7. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 5 wherein a ring flange is supported by an upper edge of the caseband - back unit and is retained in place by the glass.
 8. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 1 wherein a ring flange is supported by an upper edge of the caseband - back unit and is retained in place by the glass.
 9. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 8 wherein an O-ring packing extends between the internal face of the glass at its periphery and the upper edge of the caseband - back unit.
 10. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 7 wherein the interposed packing has a stepped form in cross-section.
 11. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 8 wherein the ring flange is arranged and adapted to bear on the watch dial thereby axially retaining the watch movement in position.
 12. A watertight watch case as set forth in claim 11 wherein an O-ring packing extends between the internal face of the glass at its periphery and the upper edge of the caseband - back unit. 